Crow Virus

[backpacker]

For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Yancey Roy
Thursday, January 3, 2008 (518) 402-8000

REOVIRUS BLAMED FOR CROW DIE-OFFS
DEC Investigation Indicates New Strain; Humans Not Thought Susceptible

A strain of avian “reovirus” is responsible for crow
die-offs reported in at least six counties across New York in the last
week, according to a New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) investigation.

Dead crows were reported in Albany, Dutchess, Jefferson,
Montgomery, Orange and Steuben counties over the last week, sometimes in
large groups. (Exact numbers for the total die-off aren’t available;
estimates are in the hundreds.)

“Postmortem tests show that the birds were killed by a form of
reovirus,” said DEC Wildlife Pathologist Ward Stone. The particular
strain of this illness attacks the birds’ intestinal system and is
spread through bird fecal matter. Winter provides prime conditions for
spreading the virus, as crows concentrate in large roosts during the
cold weather, Stone added.

Stone stressed that the incidents were not a result of West Nile
virus. While the samples will also be tested by the NYS Health
Department, this strain of reovirus is not likely to be contracted by
humans, he said.

Over the last decade, the U.S. National Wildlife Health Center
has reported several strains of reovirus in various birds, especially
the American woodcock. Officials in Ontario, Canada, also have noted its
appearance there. In the last few years, a small number of crows in New
York were felled by a strain of the virus. But this winter marks the
largest die-off, Stone said.

Residents are advised to report any unusual bird mortalities to
DEC Regional offices
(http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/255.html#Regional_Offices). Also,
residents, if disposing dead birds, should use rubber or plastic gloves,
or a double plastic bag used as a glove.

[Brenda]

It's so cool that you get these "hot off the press!" Despite the problems that some of our area cities have been having with crow populations, I'm pretty fond of them. I'm very glad that they've been trying to scare them off in most places, rather than kill them. We have a rookery right up in the woods out back. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open for any signs of this virus. Thanks for the heads up!

[backpacker]

Your welcome Brenda,
Utica has a bad problem with migrating crows. At this point in time none have been killed but do get scared off with sound guns quite often.

[olmstead]

It's interesting that this reovirus spreads the same way human viruses do, like the flu.

[ShanaD]

I must say that crows are my least favorite birds, they are always eating dead things, which I guess is good, but it grosses me out and Matt always teases me and says that they want my eyes. In Auburn they have a "Crow-shoot" in the fall to "help with the high numbers." As much as I dislike the birds, shooting them out of the sky doesn't seem like a good resolution...

[Brenda]

I'm not sure if they've continued the Auburn hunt. At least, I haven't seen the press coverage that it used to get. I have a basic problem with killing something that you can't eat. Nature has a funny way of taking care of overpopulation on "her" own--perhaps like with this virus?

[Matt]

you can't eat crow?

[Brenda]

I have, more times than I care to admit, but it tastes lousy!